1.
must arrive by; required arrival by a deadline
Indicates that a document, application, or item must physically arrive at the destination by a specified date. Contrasts with 消印有効, where the postmark date counts.
Usage
A compound of 必 (must, certainly) and 着 (arrival). Very common in application deadlines for jobs, contests, government forms, and university admissions. Always used with a date to specify when the item must arrive.
Important contrast
- 必着: the item must physically arrive by the date
- 消印有効: valid if postmarked by the date — more lenient, as only the mailing date matters